Sega Sports Japan (formally known as Team Andromeda AM6 and SmileBit), is an internal, in-house development team of Sega. The team has gone through different name changes throughout the years making many games.
History[]
Team Andromeda[]
Team Andromeda's (AM6) first known game to be released was Panzer Dragoon in 1995, a rail-shooter that become a hit on the Sega Saturn and critically acclaimed. Followed by two sequels, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei in 1997, and Panzer Dragoon Saga in 1998. Whereas years later they broke up and reformed into Smilebit.
Smilebit[]
Original staffers from Team Andromeda alongside staff members from Sega PC were placed into the new team, Smilebit, lead by Shun Arai.
The name "Smilebit" was chosen by Shun as he wished to make players be "...very happy with our titles. I aiso want these people to enjoy playing online with other players they don't know." for these reasons, he wanted a name with the word 'Smile' in it, but it alone was not considered serious on it's own, so he added 'bit' to give the name a digital image.[1]
Smilebit had 105 members and was known for titles such as Jet Set Radio and it's sequel Jet Set Radio Future, The Typing of the Dead, Panzer Dragoon Orta, GunValkyrie, Let's Make Soccer, Let's Make Derby and Let's Make Baseball. During a 2003 reshuffle, Shun Arai was transferring to lead Sega Creative Center, Takayuki Kawagoe became the new head of Smilebit, with a focus on sports titles, with non sports developers being moved to Amusement Vision.
Smilebit Div[]
In July 2004, Smilebit was reintegrated with Sega Corporation, becoming Smilebit Div. It released Virtua Striker 4 under this new temporary name.
Sega Sports R&D[]
In April 2005, Smilebit Div following further corporate restructuring, became Sega Sports R&D. Notable titles include the first Mario & Sonic title; Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games on the Wii and DS.
The division became defunct in May 2008, with Sega no longer having a dedicated sports division. Staff members were moved to Sega CS1 and Sega CS2.
The final game made by the development team before it was dissolved was the Japanese exclusive Nintendo DS baseball title Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou!.
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